Apparatuses for coupling to hearing aids

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting to an ear canal component of a hearing aid includes a sleeve having a first end, an opposite second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end. The sleeve is configured to engage the ear canal component such that the ear canal component is in the channel. A flap is coupled to the sleeve and pivotable into and between an open position in which the channel at the second end of the sleeve is open and a closed position in which the flap closes the channel at the second end of the sleeve. When the flap is in the closed position, the flap prevents the ear canal component from passing out of the channel through the second end of the sleeve.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for connecting to an ear canal component of a hearing aid, the apparatus comprising:
 a sleeve having a first end, an opposite second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the sleeve is configured to engage the ear canal component such that the ear canal component is in the channel; 
 a flap coupled to the sleeve and pivotable into and between an open position in which the channel at the second end of the sleeve is open and a closed position in which the flap closes the channel at the second end of the sleeve, wherein when the flap is in the closed position, the flap prevents the ear canal component from passing out of the channel through the second end of the sleeve; and 
 a locking assembly that locks the flap in the closed position; 
 wherein the locking assembly has a first member on the flap and a second member on the sleeve, and wherein when the flap is in the closed position, the second member engages the first member to thereby lock the flap in the closed position; and 
 
       wherein the first member mates with the second member. 
     
     
       2. An apparatus for connecting to an ear canal component of a hearing aid, the apparatus comprising:
 a sleeve having a first end, an opposite second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the sleeve is configured to engage the ear canal component such that the ear canal component is in the channel; and 
 a flap coupled to the sleeve and pivotable into and between an open position in which the channel at the second end of the sleeve is open and a closed position in which the flap closes the channel at the second end of the sleeve, wherein when the flap is in the closed position, the flap prevents the ear canal component from passing out of the channel through the second end of the sleeve; 
 
       wherein the flap has an edge and a slit extending from the edge to a center opening spaced apart from the edge, and wherein the slit is configured to permit a connector of the ear canal component to pass therethrough to the center opening as the flap is moved into the closed position. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the channel extends along a center axis and the center opening is centered on the center axis. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus for connecting to an ear canal component of a hearing aid, the apparatus comprising:
 a sleeve having a first end, an opposite second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the sleeve is configured to engage the ear canal component such that the ear canal component is in the channel and wherein the sleeve has an opening; 
 a flap coupled to the sleeve and pivotable into and between an open position in which the channel at the second end of the sleeve is open and a closed position in which the flap closes the channel at the second end of the sleeve, wherein when the flap is in the closed position, the flap prevents the ear canal component from passing out of the channel through the second end of the sleeve; and 
 a resilient member on the sleeve that is configured to extend through the opening and engage the ear canal component to thereby prevent the ear canal component from sliding out of the channel. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the opening is one opening of a plurality of openings, wherein the openings encircle the channel, and wherein the resilient member is configured is extend through the openings and engage the ear canal component. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the resilient member is an O-ring. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the opening is one opening of a first plurality of openings, wherein the openings of the first plurality of openings encircle the channel, and wherein the resilient member is a first resilient member configured to extend through the first plurality of openings and engage the ear canal component; and further comprising:
 a second plurality of openings in the sleeve, wherein the openings of the second plurality of openings encircle the channel, and wherein the second plurality of openings are spaced part from the first plurality of openings; and 
 a second resilient member configured to extend through the second plurality of openings and engage the ear canal component. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the channel extends along a center axis, and wherein the resilient member is configured to radially outwardly flex as the ear canal component slides into the channel. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for connecting to an ear canal component of a hearing aid, the apparatus comprising:
 a sleeve having a first end, an opposite second end, an opening spaced between the first end and the second end, and a channel extending between the first end and the second end, the sleeve is configured to engage the ear canal component such that the ear canal component is in the channel; and 
 a resilient member on the sleeve that extends through the opening to engage the ear canal component and prevent the ear canal component from inadvertently sliding out of the channel; 
 wherein the opening is one opening of a first plurality of openings, wherein the openings of the first plurality of openings encircle the channel, and wherein the resilient member is a first resilient member configured to extend through the openings in the first plurality of openings and engage the ear canal component; and 
 a second plurality of openings in the sleeve, the openings of the second plurality of openings encircle the channel, wherein the openings of the second plurality of openings are spaced part from the first plurality of openings; and 
 a second resilient member configured to extend through the openings of the second plurality of openings and engage the ear canal component.